In ancient Liyue, the wars had only just ended, and conditions were extremely harsh.
To expand their territory, develop production, and survive, the people of Liyue had no choice but to mine in the mountains.
Their actions were understandable, but the tremors their mining caused in the Ley Lines brought Azhdaha unbearable pain. That, too, was a fact.
That was why Azhdaha had attacked The Chasm.
At heart, both sides were at fault in this matter, yet neither was truly wrong.
Both had hurt the other, but both had only been trying to survive.
Had Zhongli been unaware of Azhdaha's suffering?
Of course he had known.
But what could he have done?
He was the God of Contracts, and he was also a god of humanity.
He had made a contract to protect the people of Liyue, and guiding humanity was also the duty of the Seven Archons.
On one side stood his people and his duties; on the other stood his dearest friend.
No matter how reluctant he was, no matter how much it hurt, he had no choice but to go to The Chasm himself and stop Azhdaha.
Even now, recalling their battle in The Chasm a thousand years ago still filled both Zhongli and Azhdaha with sorrow.
Beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree, Azhdaha gazed at Zhongli.
He could feel the sorrow and guilt in Zhongli's words.
"You chose duty, but you never abandoned compassion. That is why you did not kill me. I accepted the seal of my own will."
Zhongli looked at Azhdaha. "When an earth dragon stirs, heaven and earth tremble. With your power, even at my peak, I would have struggled to face you alone, let alone seal you away."
"That is why [I] came into being..."
Azhdaha let out a long sigh. "After all,